Apparatus for forming concrete curbs and the like



Dec. 16, 1958 c. FREEMAN APPARATUS EoE FOEMING coNcEETE cURB-AND THE LIKE Dec. 16, 1958 G. R. FREEMAN 2,864,290

APPARATUS EOE EOEMING CONCRETE cURBs AND TEE LIKE Filed April 11, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEYS Dec. 16, 1958 G. R. FREEMAN 2,864,290

APPARATUS Foa FoRMTNc; CONCRETE cuRBs AND THE LIKE Fned Aprn 11, 1955 N1' 1^ s sheets-sheet s HES A/Hjww TORNEYS nite States APPARATUS FOR rFQRMllQtlSl'CONCRETE CURB?) AND THE LIKE This invention relates to the construction of concrete structures, and is more particularly directed towards ap paratus for continuously forming curbing `and/or combination curbing and gutters'without the use of conventional stat'ionary forms and attendant manualoperations.

Although the present invention willbe described in connectiony with the formation of a combination curb'and gutter concrete structure, it should be made clear that the term concrete as used herein is not intended to be restricted vsolely toa technical denition of a mixture of sand, gravel, cement and water, but is-intended to include other pourable compositions adapted for use `as construction materials which set or harden yafter being poured. Likewise, it will become apparent that while the exemplary apparatus and method disclosed in the drawings and hereinafter'described is adapted for use on a combination curb and gutter, the-same general construction and methodV may be utilized in forming different types of curbs, as well as other longitudinally Vextending concrete structures.

In most urban areas, virrespective of the vmaterial used for constructing the road surface, i. e., concrete, asphalt, bricks, etc., a concretecurb is usually provided at each edge of the street, the curb generally having a-flat upper. ysurface which may ybe coplanar with its associated side walk and a generally vertical surface which extends downwardly to the street level. Also, it is quite common t to have the edges of the street per sel terminate short of the curb, and this section may be subsequently formed integrally with the curb to provide a glitter. ln numerous residential areas, the modern trend is towards a combination curb and gutter arrangement in which the gutter portion, as heretofore, is substantially level with the road surface, but in which the curb extends upwardly and outwardly from thevgutter valong an arcuate path, thus permitting vehicles to drive over the curb into the respective-private driveways which intersect the street.

In practice these combined curbs and guttersare usual ly constructed after the grading has been completed, but prior to the laying of the road itself. yThe manner of construction is well knowny in the art, and no detailed explanation is deemed necessary, exceptto state that the conventional installation and subsequent removal of the heavy stationary forms and the large amount of hand nishing isV costlyand time consuming,

It is accordingly an object of the present `invention to provide apparatus for constructing longitudinally extending concrete structures, such as a combination gutter and curb, which is simple and economical in operation, and which will form the desired structure in far less time than that requiredwhen using conventional systems of construction.

Another object of my invention is'to provide apparatus of the character described which completely eliminates f `tus ofthe type describedfwhich is 4adapted'toy continuously form a mass-of c'oncrete-into-its ldesired form fol:

setting, whereby it isLonlylnecessarytogradefarid mark the surface onfwhichf thecurbing isrto f be Apositioned.

l yg VatentedDecf. 16,1958

A still further'ob-ject-of'fthisinvention -is tofprovide l apparatus. of the above 'character in which the entire concrete `forming meohanismgisfdi'spos'e'd in la unitary movableI machine, fso-.thatfas-the rnacl'line` ltraverses the ground and concrete isfpoured -intopthesame, 'itywill continuously moldorfform the.concrete;into the desired configuration. j

-Yet another object ,0f-theinvention 'Visto provide apparatus Ias-hereinabove described `including means `for* defining thelateralf-extent ofthe finished structureiinto which -fthe concrete,v yis t-initiallwpoured, as well as associated means for producing any desired topconto'ur to the structure. v

The invention possessesother` objects and Ifeatures of advantage, some/of which, with-the foregoing, Vwill be set forthn the4` following description-ofthepreferred f' form .of the inventionfwhich Lis illustrated inthe -drawings .accompanyingg'andj formingpartof the specification. It is to belunderstoodL- however, vthat variations sin the showing made by the said drawings anddescription may Figure;4 is across-,sectional view-taken.,substantially` in the plane'indicated by lineu4-44 of Figure jl.

Figure .5 is a cross-sectional viewvtakensubstantially in the planefindicatedbyline57575 of .Figure 1,l

Figure' k6A. a cross-,sectional view taken =substantially in theplan V(indicated,r byline 6- 6A of-.Figure- 1.

Figure 7is-aA diagrammatic representation of theyhy'- draulic ow'distributionsystem utilized ink the4 apparatus.

In :broad te`r`ms.the apparatusfof the present@ invention is arrangedto,delivera quantity-of-concrjrete lor theqlike between a. pairfofV longitudinallyextendingI andggenerally verticalform members,. l1nlovejthe form,l members inpthe direction -I of the 1ength.` thereof, pass laterally extending .Y screed-members ,through or y.over the concrete mass contained betweenA theform members so ,as-,to 4form theup'per contour of lthedesire'd. structure, :and oscillate one` lor more` of" the screed membersuringytheir,fmovement thereof with thesform members. `In thisgmannen'itywill be understoodA that a longitudinally extendingconcrete structuregrnay` be continuously-molded orlformed, without requiring, theguse, of ,conventional-forms. f

For purpose of illustration-and.-explanation, I'have chosen to illustrate, the apparatus and method `of'the invention. in connection with the .construction-of acombination curb and gutter, y. generally indicated by the numeral 142inFigurel6fof the drawings. -As illustrated,

ythe finished structurer. includes afbase 1-3y adapted to `be seatedon the graded-.ground'surface (not shown), aA rst f side wall 14 arrangedtube positioned adjacentone Aedgel of `the roadsurface, asecond` side wall 'lhigher than said trstside wallmandarrangedf to bef'positioned `adjacent one-edge of the sidewalk, and Zan uppensurface comprisingfa first portion y17,-,parallelto "base "13, whichforms thev gutter, andl -angarcuate portion. 18 which 1 forms vthe curb. -It willt'be'easilyappreciated that if'thisi structure z was constructed-,insa conventional-manner, side-forms would ihave f to -be `'erected to define theV sidel'walls j14 and 16,' a large amount of 'handf workwouldT befrequiredvk toproducef the prope'rfcontourf for 4.theyupperpoitticins`17 f and i 18, andi the rvforms. would4v then be `vdismantledarid removed. YsThefapparatusfa'n'd inetlidriow'to be 'described completely .eliminates thefforegoin'g.

As best illustrated in Figures v1and2 ofthe drawings,

the apparatus for producing the structure 12 includes a ground-traversing vehicle consisting of a chassis having longitudinally extending side frame members 21, crossbracing 22, front wheels 23 and rear tracks 24 mounted on conventional drive wheels or sprockets 26. A motor 27 is mounted on the chassis for driving the vehicle, and power is supplied from the motor to the rearmost set of drive wheels by means of any suitable transmission 28 operatively connected to such wheels through any conventional type of mechanism. Preferably,`the transmis sion is of the hydraulic type whereby the vehicle can be started and stopped with a minimum of jerking, which could prove injurious to the structure to be formed by the apparatus.f The motor 27 also supplies power for other portions of the apparatus as will be hereinafter explained.

The operator is provided with a seat 29 disposed at the rear end of the vehicle land may properly guide the latter by means of a steering wheel 31 operatively connected to the front wheels 23. Suitable operating handles for controlling the screed members, form members and the speed of the vehicle itself may be conveniently mounted on a control housing 32 positioned adjacent the operators seat.

It will be noted that the vehicle is relatively long, and is arranged to move at low speeds. Hence, by virtue of the rear track mechanism, it is not a difcult job for the operator to follow stakes, lines or other indicia showing the line to be followed in forming the curb and gutter. While the apparatus is not capable of laying curved curbs of a relatively small radius, itcan adequatelyvperform on larger radius curves.

As above described, the structure 12 is disposed on the graded ground surface along which the vehicle moves, and as such structure includes the side walls `14 and 16, it is necessary that the vehicle include vertically disposed and laterally spaced form 'members between which the structure is formed. As here shown, such form members comprise a pair of angles 36 and 37, each having a vertically disposed web 38 and an outwardly directed horizontal flange 39. If desired, the height of the webs forwardly of the screed elements may be greater than that rearwardly thereof, but in any event, the web height should be in excess of the height of the side walls, in order that the latter may be properly formed. Obviously, the lateral spacing between the webs corresponds to the width of the structure 12 between the sidewalls thereof.

In operation, the flanges 39 are adapted to slide along the ground surface, or at least immediately adjacent thereto so that the concrete-structure 12 will rise directly from such surface in a uniform manner without danger of concrete, that has been poured between the' form members, spreading out in anyspace existing between the flange and ground surface. j

Consequently, to insure the proper positioning of the form members, irrespective of the elevtaion of the vehicle wheels and/ or tracks relative thereto, means are provided for vertically adjusting the form members. As here shown, the respective form members are secured together by cross-members 46 for unitary vertical movement, although obviously, each of such members could be mounted for independent vertical adjustment if desired. A front cylinder 47 and rear cylinder 48, each provided with a `two-way piston, are mountedon the vehicle, and by means of links 49 operatively connected to the piston and the vform members respectively,` the latter may be selectively raised and lowered. Also, by virtue of the longitudinal spacing of the actuating cylinders, thei'front or rear end of the members may be" adjusted relative to the other end. Asthe flanges of the members are supposed to slide along the` supporting surface, I prefer to have the leading edge of each member flared upwardly as indicated at 51, in much the same manner as the leading edge of `a ski. This will avoid erratic opertaion in'the event some projection lies in the path of the flange 39.

' of the screed.

Thus, in operation, the driver will first align the vehicle with the longitudinal axis of the structure to be formed, and then lower the form members until the flanges 39 thereof engage the ground. The forming operation is then ready to be commenced by depositing a mass of concrete between the vertical webs of the mernbers whereby the latter will define the lateral limits of the fiowable concrete mass, and consequently form the side Walls of the structure 12.

Concrete may be supplied from any suitable supply source, such as a hopper 56 carried on the front end of the vehicle, and provided with a bottom discharge outlet 57 positioned intermediate the form members. A horizontally disposed closure gate 58 is slidably mounted on the hopper, subjacent the outlet thereof, so as to control the quantity of concrete owing from the outlet. The position of the gate 58 may be readily controlled by means of a hydraulic cylinder 59 provided with a twoway piston connected to a link 61. The latter is connected to the gate, so that upon actuation of the piston in the cylinder, the gate may be moved so as to selectively control the volume of concrete gravitally falling from the hopper. lt is expected that the concrete utilized will be on the dry side, with low slump characteristics as the forms are constantly being moved, and after passage of the vehicle, the mass must be form retainin f. In any event, it is believed desirable to provide the hopper with one, and preferably two, air hammers 63, having conduits 64 for connection to a source of compressed air. The purpose of these hammers is to insure a uniform ow of concrete when the gate is in an open position.

As will be understood, the amount of concrete deposited from the hopper upon the ground surface between the form members must be at least sufficient to-produce the structure 12, and is preferably in excess thereof so as to insure an ample volume for the screed operation. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the concrete mass 66 is more than is required to form the same into the structure 12. In other words, the mass must extend to the webs 38, and occupies a height in excess of the upper surface 17 and 18 of the structure to be formed.

To produce the desired upper contour on the concrete mass, a plurality of laterally extending screed elements are utilized, each of such elements being longitudinally spaced from an adjacent element. l'n this manner, while the concrete mass is being retained between the webs of the form membersthe screed elements, carried on the vehicle and extending etween the form members, provide the means for producing the proper upper surface on the mass. l

The first screed element, generally designated by the numeral 71 is positioned rearwardly of the hopper and is designed to generally form the mass to the desired upper contour and to distribute the excess concrete forwardly of the screed. Preferably, screed 71 is formed of a substantially rectangular metal plate having opposed side edges 72 and 73 which lic substantially immediately adjacent the respective opposed faces of the form member webs. The lower edge 74 of the plate is contoured complementary to that of the desired finished structure, so the disclosed embodiment includes a flat portion corre-- sponding to structure portion 17 and an arcuate portion corresponding to structure portion 18. The lower edge 74 is spaced from the ground and passes through the conf' crete mass so that the mass assumes the general form of the final structure. r

lt will be appreciated that in many instances, the specifications for a structure may call for different thicknesses of concrete. Hence, it is important that means bc provided for vertically adjusting the height of the lower edge 74 relative to the ground. Such means may simply com prise a. pair of laterally spaced and vertically disposed two-way cylinders 76 having links 77 secured at one cnd to the pistons and at their other ends to the upper portion In this manner, actuation of the cylinder may position the screed in selected positions of vertical adjustment.

Vertical oscillatory motion is imparted to this rst screed element by any desired mechanism so as to increase the efficiency of the screed in levelling off the top of the concrete rnass to substantially its Vfinal contour. For purpose of illustration, l have shown a pair of 1ongitudinally extending shafts 81 driven by motor 27 and any suitable type of governor 82 so as to insure uniformity of oscillation of the screed irrespective of the load imposed on the motor by virtue of the movement of the vehicle. The shafts are supported on a plurality of bearings 83 carried by brackets 84 extending from the chassis frame 21. Adjacent the forward end of each shaft is an offset portion 86 to which the respective cylinders are supported through a link 87. In this manner, as the shafts rotate, the cylinders 76, links 77, and consequently the screed 71 will be vertically reciprocated. Preferably, the lowermost position of the screed is approximately one-quarter inch above the final contour of the structure 12 so that a small excess of concrete is available for the subsequent screed operations.

A second screed 91 is positioned rearwardly of screed 71, and like the latter is adapted for Vertical adjustment so as to permit the forming of various structure heights. Two-Way cylinders 92 are provided,..and their associated piston rod links 93 are connected to the screed in any suitable manner. Instead of assuming a relatively fiat vertical form as in the case of the first screed, screed 91 is formed of a generally horizontally disposed plate so as to present a relatively large surface to the concrete mass. The leading edge 94 of the screed is ared upwardly for the same reason that the leading edges of the form members are turned upwardly at 51. As best illustrated in Figure 5, the lower surface of the screed is contoured to the same yextent required for the finished structure, and such surface should be disposed substantially at the final elevation of the upper surface of the structure, or, in other words, approximately one-quarter of an inch lower than the lowermost position of screed 71. The cylinders 92 may be supported on the chassis in any suitable manner, but I have chosen to utilize links 96 extending from the upper ends of the cylinders and journalled 011 shafts 81 through suitable bearings 97. It is not believed necessary to vibrate the second screed, but if vertical oscillation is desired, it will only be necessary to put an offset in the shafts at the bearing connection.

The final screed, or finishing screed 102 is best illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings and is naturally positioned rearwardly of the screed 91. The screed, like screed 71, is a vertical plate provided with a lower edge 103 complementary to portions 17 and 18 of the nished structure. This screed does not oscillate, but like the other screeds is capable of vertical adjustment through a pair of two-way cylinders 104 journalled on shafts 81 through bearings 106 and links 107 and links 108 connected to the cylinder pistons. The edge 103 of the screed is naturally positioned at the final elevation of the structure portions 17 and 18 so as to finish oft the latter.

In Figure 7 there is diagrammatically illustrated a iiow diagram for controlling the various cylinders. As illustrated, a reservoir 122 is connected to a pump 123, the latter being driven by motor 27. The screed cylinders 76, 92 and 104 are operatively connected to supply and return conduits, as are the rail cylinders 47 and 48, and the gate control cylinder 59. Suitable valves 124 control the ow of uid to selected sides of the respective cylinders to accomplish their various functions, such valves being conveniently located in the housing 32.

From the foregoing description, both the details of construction as well asthe mode of operation should be made clear. While the mechanism is not complex, it has proven to adequately form a concrete structure in a continuous manner in place of the slow and costly batch method of forming similar structures under conventional procedures. It has likewise been found that after the vehicle has completely passed the concrete it has formed,

the formed concrete will retain its shape without further r attention until setting or curing takes place.

Whatis claimedis:.

1.Apparatus for forming a longitudinally extending concrete curb structure on a supporting surface in which said structure has laterally spaced side walls and an upper contour extending therebetween, comprising: a longitudinally extending ground traversing vehicle, a pair of laterally spaced and generally vertically disposed platelike members carried by and extending longitudinally of said vehicle, means on said vehicle for selectively raising and lowering said members, a first screed element extending laterally of and supported by said vehicle and disposed between said members, means on said vehicle for vertically oscillating said element, said rst screed element being of generally flat construction and lying in a generally vertical plane, means on said vehicle for selectively raising and lowering said element whereby the lowermost oscillating position thereof may be controlled, and a second screed element positioned on and carried by said vehicle rearwardly of said first screed element and extending between said members, each of said screed elements having substantially similar lower edge portions contoured to complement the upper contour of saidcurb structure, and means on said vehicle for selectively raising and lowering said second screed element.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the lower edge portion of said second screed element is disposed iower than the lowermost oscillating position of said first screed element.

3. Apparatus for forming a longitudinally extending concrete curb structure on a supporting surface in which said structure has laterally spaced side walls and an upper contour extending therebetween, comprising: a longitudinally extending ground traversing Vehicle, a pair of laterally spaced and generally vertically disposed plate-like members carried by and extending longitudinally of said vehicle, means on said vehicle for selectively raising and lowering said members, a rst screed element extending laterally of and carried by said vehicle and disposed between said members, means on said vehicle for vertically oscillating said element, a second screed elementV having a wider bottom edge portion than said first screed element extending laterally of and carried by said vehicle and disposed between said members, a third screed element generally parallel to said other screed elements carried by said 'vehicle and extending between said members, all of said screed elements having substantially similar lower contours, said irst and third screed elements each generally comprising a vertically disposed plate having its lateral edges slidably engaged with the opposed inner surfaces of said plate-like members, and means operatively carried by said Vehicle for i vertically adjusting each of said elements relative to said members.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,695,201 Newell Dec. l1, 1928 1,702,666 Nickerson Feb. 19, 1929 1,840,970 Noble Jan. l2, 1932 1,985,220 Clark et al. Dec. 18, 1934 1,987,398 Gardiner Jan. 8, 1935 2,187,080 Heltzel Ian. 16, 1940 2,204,021 Leatherman June 1l, 1940 2,245,426 Baker June 10, 1941 2,380,435 Heltzel July 31, 1945 2,393,954 Baker Feb. 5, 1946 2,623,446 Clark et al. Dec. 30, 1952 

